Blind Boys of Alabama Feature Film Wraps Production

(IPPR) Nick Nanton and Astonish Entertainment in association with Abundance Studios are thrilled to announce principal photography has officially wrapped on The Blind Boys of Alabama, a new documentary chronicling the extraordinary eight-decade journey of one of the most revered and influential groups in American music history.

Directed by 24-time Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Nick Nanton, the film celebrates the legacy, resilience, and cultural impact of the iconic multi-Grammy winning gospel and Americana ensemble whose music has transcended generations, genres, and social movements.

"The Blind Boys of Alabama set the tone and rhythm of life, bridging the gap between generations, bringing people of all races, colors and creeds together, and creating a powerful and heartfelt musical and cultural movement against all odds. Through their incredible story, the film reflects on pivotal eras including the Civil Rights Movement, decades of social change, and the enduring power of faith and music as forces for unity," said Nanton.

With The Blind Boys of Alabama, director Nick Nanton brings a cinematic approach to a story that is as intimate as it is expansive, weaving together personal histories, archival moments, and present-day reflections to capture the group at a pivotal moment in time.

As the group continues to tour, record, and inspire well into their eighth decade, the documentary stands as both a celebration and a preservation of a legacy still being written - ensuring that the Blind Boys' endure for generations to come.

The documentary reveals how The Blind Boys of Alabama didn't just shape gospel music, they helped ignite rock 'n' roll itself. Cited as a formative influence by Bob Dylan and Little Richard, and laying early groundwork for artists like James Brown, their pioneering "hard gospel" sound and early recordings preceded and inspired classics later popularized by The Rolling Stones and Ben E. King, cementing their role as original architects of modern popular music.

Formed in 1939 at the Alabama Institute for the Negro Deaf and Blind, The Blind Boys of Alabama have become the longest running group in America. Over the course of their remarkable career, the group has earned six GRAMMY Awards, a GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award, National Endowment of the Arts Fellowship, Gospel Hall of Fame induction, toured globally, and collaborated with legendary artists across pop, rock, soul, and Americana, all while remaining steadfastly rooted in their gospel foundation.

Over the years, the group has collaborated with artists from all walks of life, including but not limited to Ben Harper, Bon Iver, Bonnie Raitt, Peter Gabriel, Tom Petty, Tom Waits, Willie Nelson, George Clinton, Mavis Staples, Taj Mahal, Susan Tedeschi and many more.

"This music has always been bigger than us - it's about faith, perseverance, and hope. From the very beginning, Nick Nanton and his team understood that. They created a space where our voices, our history, and our purpose could be honored honestly, and that's why we trusted them to tell this story," says the Blind Boys of Alabama group.

The documentary offers an intimate and expansive portrait of the group's evolution, tracing their journey from singing on the segregated gospel circuit in the Jim Crow South to performing for presidents, global audiences, and historic moments in American history.

Over the years, The Blind Boys of Alabama have become not only ambassadors of gospel music, but cultural bridge-builders whose influence reaches far beyond the genre. Their willingness to reinterpret contemporary songs through a gospel lens - while maintaining deep spiritual authenticity - has earned them admiration throughout the secular music world and introduced their message to new generations of listeners.

Their performances have spanned concerts and global stages, reinforcing their status as both innovators and custodians of an essential American art form. In their 80 years as a group, they have built up a following across Europe and Australia while performing as far away as Morrocco, Brazil, and Japan. The Blind Boys' bridge between cultures and the Civil Rights Movement reached as far as Rio de Janeiro, where the late civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson joined them on stage during a performance. Moments like these embody what makes the Blind Boys' legacy-and their continued work-so extraordinary.

Featuring interviews with Jimmy Carter, the only living original member, current frontmen Ricky McKinnie and Joey Williams, and influential musicians such as Peter Gabriel, Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks, Timothy B. Schmit of The Eagles, Jamey Johnson and Justin Vernon of Bon Iver, The Blind Boys of Alabama film explores how the group has continually evolved while preserving the heart and soul that define their sound.

Staying true to their gospel roots while embracing a bold and genre-defying spirit, the Blind Boys of Alabama have expanded their sound through collaborations across soul, rock, and blues-culminating in signature recordings like their transformative rendition of "Amazing Grace" set to the tune of "House of the Rising Sun," Stevie Wonder's "Higher Ground," and Tom Waits' "Way Down in the Hole," which became the iconic theme for Season 1 of HBO's The Wire-all featured on Grammy-winning albums.

The film also captures the personal experiences of members who were born blind, and some who lost their sight later in life, offering a deeply human perspective on perseverance, artistry, and belief.

The documentary further highlights the group's continued relevance, including their most recent album, Echoes of the South, which earned the Blind Boys three GRAMMY nominations with a 2024 GRAMMY Award for Best Roots Gospel Album, reinforcing their lasting influence in today's music landscape.
Following their standout opening performance with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and blues legend Buddy Guy at the 2024 GRAMMY Premiere Ceremony, the Blind Boys of Alabama were personally invited by Guy to feature on his track "Jesus Loves the Sinner." The collaboration sees the Blind Boys trading lead and backing vocals throughout the rare, gospel-leaning cut from the Blues Hall of Famer.

After a milestone year that included a cameo in the blockbuster film SINNERS, Buddy Guy kicked off 2026 on a high note-earning his ninth GRAMMY Award earlier this month for Ain't Done with the Blues, which won Best Traditional Blues Album, and features that Blind Boys track.

"The Blind Boys of Alabama is more than a music documentary, it is a living portrait of American history told through song, faith, and an unwavering commitment to purpose," said Nanton.

Production on the film began in spring 2025, with additional details regarding festival premieres and distribution to be announced.

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